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Jordan's New King Supports Peace Process, U.s. Leaders Say

JERUSALEM, THE MIDDLE EAST — Jordan's new king told U.S. Jewish leaders he is committed to following his father's policy of continuing the peace process with Israel, the leaders say.

King Abdullah also said he is looking forward to working with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Jewish leaders said Thursday.

Mel Salberg and Malcolm Hoenlein, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, visited the Jordanian capital, Amman, last week after the funeral of King Hussein to convey the condolences of U.S. Jewry to King Abdullah.

In a 20-minute private conversation, King Abdullah said he was committed to following the precedents set by his father and continuing the peace process with Israel, Salberg and Hoenlein said in Jerusalem.

"It was very clear that the relationship (of Jordan) with Israel was a very strong one and would get stronger," said Salberg, who is the outgoing chairman of the conference.

"He did say that he looked forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu (and) said that he wanted to be considered a brother," Hoenlein added.

Hoenlein said they assured the king that their organization would continue to advocate U.S. aid to Jordan.